Hebron United Methodist Church 9811 Main Street, P.O. Box 323, Hebron, IL 60034

Catch the Spirit! NOVEMBER 2020 www.hebronmethodist.org

We must always give thanks to God for you because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. Therefore we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith…. (2 Thessalonians 1: 3 – 4) A while back I came across an article on the internet entitled “Five Gifts You Can Give Your Pastor.” Gift #1 was regular attendance at worship. Gift #2 was regular giving. While those are wonderful things to do, I’m not so sure it is the pastor who benefits as much as it is the giver. Yeah, we’d like you to do those things, but actually, the Bible, as well as your church membership vows, already ask you to do this as a way for you to grow in your faith. The gift that resonated with me was gift #5 - “The greatest [gift] you can give to your pastor is to personally be growing spiritually. If you want to really get your pastor excited, let them see you excited about your relationship with Christ.” My call from God (and that of most pastors) is not to fill the pews, balance the budget, or

The Pastor Ponders... ...For what am I thankful this year?

IN-PERSON WORSHIP - Nov. 1 at 11:00 a.m. *Daylight Savings Ends* CHARGE CONFERENCE via Zoom/Dial-in Monday, November 9 at 6:30 p.m. Staff Parish Relations Team at 6:00 p.m. ONLINE THANKSGIVING SERVICE Please email us a video or written text about what you are thankful for this year by Monday, November 23rd to be included in this special service that will be available on our website for viewing on Thanksgiving Day. Email: churchoffice@hebronmethodist.org NEXT CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING November 22 at 9:00 a.m.

For those who have not already done so, please remember to fill out and send the Church Directory Update form which was sent out in October. Also, don't forget to send in a recent photo to be included in the directory. We hope to have the new church directory available to our members by the Advent season. Thank you for your help!

CHURCH DIRECTORY

Please send us your video! We'd be so thankful!

***Mark your Calendar***

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make sure all the committees are functioning effectively and efficiently. Our call is to share God’s Word, to encourage you in your walk of faith, to equip you spiritually to do the work of the church in the world. The United Methodist Church puts it this way, “to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” Pastors are encouraged in their God-given task when they see that the people are doing their part – growing in the Lord; doing the work of the church; sharing their faith; helping those who are less fortunate; demonstrating God’s love, forgiveness, acceptance; giving God the glory by their words and actions. Pastors can’t force you into doing your part. They can’t coerce you into being molded into the image of Christ. They can’t demand that you obey the Word of God. They can’t pressure you into growing. They can only invite you into a relationship with Christ, encourage, teach, pray, and lead by example. Therefore, the greatest gift you can give your pastor is to grow in your Christian walk and encourage others to grow as well. The apostle Paul talks about using our God-given gift of encouragement to build each other up and the writer to the Hebrews also reminds us how important it is for us to meet together regularly for worship and for fellowship that we might encourage each other. Try as we might, it is impossible to be upbeat all the time. Meeting together regularly during those times reminds us that we are not alone. On the other hand, meeting together regularly also gives us a bunch of people to share our good times with as well, which makes the good times even better. And, during these COVID times, HUMC is still finding safe ways to connect through ZOOM, phone calls, short meetings, kind deeds, working around the HUMC building, helping each other to grow and thrive. My heart is warmed by all the volunteers and the attitude that everyone has that we can overcome these challenging times. Glenn and I had several discussions about where our church home would be after we retired. We are blessed to say that we have found our home among the folks at Hebron UMC. Thanks be to God. -Pastor Char

The Pastor Ponders (continued)

Building Committee Update The Building Committee is happy to report that 95 percent of Arnie's roofing work is complete so on October 25th we turned our attention indoors with a Sunday afternoon sanctuary clean up session to prepare for what comes next. Our heating contractor, Tony Hudak, added new ductwork above the ceiling joists to improve heating efficiency and comfort. Astro Insulation's Allen Fyfe said they will begin insulating the building later this week. Dave Gallagly, our drywall contractor, will begin right after the insulation is installed. Things are now moving along much faster towards completion of the renovation project. Be sure to look at the new roof when you drive by or to see all the changes if you stop in. As progress continues, remember, the Building Committee is always open to suggestions on how to proceed to make our church building a better place for worship.

A big thank you to the Patyk Farm Market

and Greenhouse for our lovely fall display!

HUMC Virtual Choir

"Here I Am

Lord"

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N.O.W. - Nurture

At this time of year the words to the song “Give Thanks” keep running through my mind, "Give thanks with a grateful heart, give thanks to the Holy One." Although, this year, we won’t be able to share Thanksgiving Eve service with our brothers and sisters in Christ we will be able to share what we are thankful for on our website. We would like you to submit what you are thankful for in either an e-mail or video sent to churchoffice@hebronmethodist.org. While we can’t be together in person we can be together in spirit. As has been tradition at Thanksgiving Eve services in the past we will be collecting an offering for the Hebron Area Food Pantry. Your donations (payable to HUMC) can be sent directly to the church: Hebron United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 323, Hebron, IL 60034. Please indicate on your envelope “Food Pantry.” We will be participating again this year in the Secret Santa program through the Alden-Hebron Schools. They will be gathering information on children in need. We will receive a list with their age, clothing and shoe size, and what their wish list is. In the past we have sponsored anywhere from 6 to 15 children - their ages range from infant through High School. If you’d like to brighten a child’s Christmas please let me know by sending an e-mail to offcqueen@aol.com or by calling me at 815-648-5009. I will need to know by November 6th. I thank you in advance for your generosity. Every December we have a hat/mitten/scarf tree with all articles sent to the Red Bird Mission. Since we will not be hanging a mitten tree in our church this year we will be asking for donations for the Red Bird Mission. More information will be in next month’s newsletter. In the words of John Wesley, “Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, In all the places you can, At all the times you can, To all the people you can, As long as you can.” God bless all of you, Shirlee & Alberta, Nurture Co-Chairs

Our HUMC Kids continue to learn and grow in God each Sunday! We will be sending out a Zoom link in the coming weeks to have a "live" Sunday School class so please stay tuned! If you are interested in having your children participate in this zoom class, or any of our classes, please email us at churchoffice@hebronmethodist.org. We are looking forward to sharing some of what the HUMC Kids have been learning soon in our online worship services in November! Kate Johnson & Stephanie Claussen Sunday School Teachers

HUMC KIDS - Sunday School

Charge Conference is scheduled for Monday, November 9 at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. Staff Parish Relations Team will meet at 6 p.m. using the same Zoom link for Charge Conference. A phone number will also be provided if you would rather just call in. Hope you can join us!

Check out our Seniors Page on our website where you'll find helpful info on health-related issues, staying connected during this pandemic, and other activities and programs, such as the weekly Virtual Sing-along Cafe offered via Zoom by AgeOptions. Click here for more info!

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Happy Birthday!

Cody Nelson 11/2 Chela Johnson 11/8

Ulysses Johnson 11/10 Leah Arthur 11/11

Shirlee Correll 11/13 Eamon Johnson 11/13 Alberta Austin 11/14 Mike Schaid 11/14 Ashley Reins 11/17 Karen Vipond 11/25

Happy Anniversary! Dawn & Danny Nelson 11/10

Your Unique Witness

"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." —1 Peter 3:15

Way back in the September newsletter (I know it’s been only two months but it feels like forever, doesn’t it???) we invited you to begin to critically look at your faith journey. How you came to know God and how God has interacted directly in your life. We encouraged you to draw a timeline of your unique journey in the belief that it might reveal patterns, surprises, and times of grace. Hopefully you learned some exciting new revelations. Okay. So what do you do with all this?

First, realize that your specific interactions with Christ form the rich tapestry of God at work in the world. When you share your story you give clarity, depth, color, and nuance to how God loves us and God’s kingdom. The next step is to get your story down on paper. The idea is to take the visual drawing of your timeline and write a narrative version of what you learned. You want me to WHAT??? I’m not a writer. I don’t even know where to get started!!!

Fortunately we have some excellent biblical examples of witnessing that can help. One of the best is Acts 26 where King Agrippa calls Paul in for an accounting of his life. Take a moment and read through the chapter. Paul put on a witnessing clinic – clearly and simply – telling the King how life was before his salvation, how he met Christ, and what life has been like after his conversion.

You can tell your story the same way. Look at your timeline for your journey through salvation and life walking with God. What are the important and interesting details of your conversion? How has God directly interacted with you. If some were to ask you directly “Are you a Christian?” or “Do you go to church?” what might you say? Tell your story of life before God, encountering God, and finally walking with God. Get it on paper. It’s a great way to begin to connect all the dots to understand what it is that makes you the unique Christian you are. We’ll talk more about your writings in future newsletters. So sharpen that pencil!!!

Steph and David, Co-witness chairs

N.O.W. - Witness

Kathy Dickerson's Memorial Service October 17, 2020

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The Claussens’ neighbor, Rhonda, who was diagnosed with cancer Alberta Austin recovering from a broken wrist and a stroke. Dick Wappler as he recovers from hip replacement surgery Pastor Char & Glenn’s daughter-in-law, Julie, as she goes through testing for her MS Debbie & Jeff Arnold’s friend Wendy Kris Bottlemy’s Aunt Lorraine for healing of her leg wound Karen Vipond’s friend, Mary Dade, going through a difficult situation Jack & Bonnie Proesel as Jack is admitted to a nursing facility Nora Winn who is at the Fair Oaks Nursing facility Luke Moore Anita Landry, her son-in-law, Emil, who is on oxygen 24/7, & her daughter, Cora, as she takes care of both of them Our former Pastor Jim and Char Our former Pastor Paul and Lynn Jeanne and Marlo Johnson LaVerne Schmarje

Dear Lord, please hear our prayer for the following...

… Dorothy Peterson’s family Betty Garrett’s family Arlyne Mummer Those affected by hurricanes and fires We pray for protection and safety for all those who defend and protect us We pray for the victims and families of all who have been affected by and from violence. We also pray for the return of goodwill among all people We pray for all those affected by COVID-19 and their families; and we pray for the safety of all medical staff and personnel during the care of all patients. We pray for our church, the Village of Hebron, and all leaders - local, state and national; our church leaders in Hebron, our Elgin District Sup’t., our Bishop and the entire UMC. We pray for the names in our hearts that they will be kept safe from harm. God bless us all. Amen If you wish to have someone added to our Prayer List please contact Shirlee on our Nurture Team at (815) 648-5009 or at offcqueen@aol.com. During a mental health crisis, anyone can call the 24-hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Veterans crisis line is 800-273-7255.

Alberta Austin would like us to pass along her thanks to everyone for their prayers and wishes she could be back with us again. She is at Crossroads rehab in Woodstock until next week. We're asking for continued prayers for her as she is unable to live by herself and is making some decisions this week about her future.

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JOIN US FOR WORSHIP ONLINE! www.hebronmethodist.org and find us on

Please continue to make your church offering. We are looking into online payment options but for now, please make your generous giving via mail to: Hebron United Methodist Church, P.O. 323,

Hebron, IL 60034 Attn: Dawn

Join us IN PERSON at the church on Sunday November 1st at 11:00 a.m. for All Saints Day

& a Service of Holy Communion Dress warmly in case this service relocates outdoors. Also note that Daylight Saving Time ends so please be sure to change your clocks.

Our online worship service and Sunday School class will be available on our website.